What Led to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Being Labeled 'Guru Dokhi' by Sikh Clergy?

Akal Takht's Strong Stance Against Punjab CM

Chandigarh: The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht has labeled Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as 'Guru Dokhi' and 'Khalsa Panth virodhi' following accusations of dishonesty regarding a controversial video.

The Akal Takht serves as the supreme authority for Sikhs.

In a significant move, the Sikh clergy summoned all Sikh MLAs and the Punjab Cabinet to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 to discuss an anti-sacrilege law.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj announced this decision from the 'faseel' (podium) after a meeting of the 'five Singh Sahiban' (Sikh clergy) in Amritsar.

Gargajj asserted that a video circulating online, allegedly featuring Mann, was deemed 'authentic' by two forensic laboratories.

He emphasized that the video was neither altered nor generated by artificial intelligence.

The Akal Takht secretariat had previously reached out to Mann in January after he expressed willingness for a forensic review of the video, but no response was received.

Following this, the secretariat sought examinations from two labs.

"The position of chief minister is one of respect. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann misled the Akal Takht regarding the video," Gargajj stated.

The five Singh Sahibans declared Mann as 'Guru Dokhi' and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi' from the highest Sikh authority.

This controversy traces back to Mann being summoned by the Akal Takht in January for allegedly making inappropriate remarks about 'Guru ki Golak' (a donation box at gurdwaras) and engaging in 'objectionable activities' involving images of 'Sikh Gurus' and the late militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in various video clips.

Mann appeared before the secretariat in Amritsar on January 15, claiming that the videos circulating were fabricated.

He also suggested that the 'Singh Sahiban' could have the video examined by any lab in the country.

Regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, Gargajj stated that all Sikh MLAs and the Punjab Cabinet must attend the Akal Takht on June 29.

The Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had previously expressed concerns about the anti-sacrilege law, stating it was enacted without consulting the Sikh community.

The Akal Takht had urged the state government to amend provisions in the anti-sacrilege Act that contradict the Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth, and the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Notably, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously approved by the Punjab Assembly on April 13, introducing harsher penalties, including life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.

Shortly before the Singh Sahibans' announcement at the Akal Takht, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Singh Pannu remarked that the lab reports cited by the Akal Takht Jathedar did not clarify the identity of the individual in the video.

He also suggested that Gargajj has taken a political stance and asserted that the Akal Takht belongs to the entire Sikh community, not just to SAD chief Sukhbir Badal or the SAD.